DETECTIVES know the identity of four IRA men who murdered three children and six adults in Claudy in 1972 but have made no effort to arrest them.

Detectives allegedly know the identity of four IRA men who murdered n Claudy []

Former Sinn Fein Northern Ireland Assembly member Francie Brolly says police officers told him the names when they interviewed him over the bombing five years ago.

At his home 10 miles from Claudy, Co Londonderry, Mr Brolly, who was interned in 1973 for two years, said was arrested and held overnight but he says he was being spoken to as a witness, not as a suspect.

He told the Sunday Express: “Because of my proximity to Claudy and because of my Republican background they thought I might know something about it, but I don’t.

“During questioning, they told me everything that happened. There were four men who made bombs 13 miles away and put them in dairy cans. Police even had the boxes from the clocks which were used.”

No warning was issued to the police when the three car bombs exploded on July 31, 1972, killing four Catholics and five Protestants and injuring 30.

Last week a report by police ombudsman Al Hutchinson concluded that Catholic priest Fr James Chesney, who died aged 46 in 1980, was among the killers. However, Mr Brolly said that his was not one of the four names given him by police.

A former RUC Special Branch officer said last week he had wanted to arrest Fr Chesney but had been overruled by senior officers.

The ombudsman said the RUC “colluded” with the then Northern Ireland Secretary Willie Whitelaw and the Catholic Church to protect Fr Chesney, who was moved to Co Donegal in the Republic.

The Sunday Express understands one of those involved in the bombing later took his own life. Another is thought to live in New York.

The historical inquiries team, which investigates atrocities, says it hopes to hold a review of the case.